Hardcore Literature

Hardcore Literature makes me glad to be alive. Benjamin is a most congenial companion. His insights on Tess of the D’Urbervilles contains tales and insights I had not considered. I NEED King Lear and Shakespeare, and I yearn for more insight into Blood Meridian and Middlemarch (which I love wallowing in). Benjamin is a treasure of the English language. Most highly recommended!

Generally the analysis of the literature is good, well researched, and informative. But he comes across as very opinionated (which is fine) and arrogant about his opinions to the point of being dismissive about things that it sounds like he just doesn’t “get” (which got on my nerves) Going off the Dorian Gray episode alone: His blind Shakespeare worship can get a bit tiresome (apparently no one is allowed to write a book that is critical of the Bard - he doesnt try to rebut the criticism, and says absurd things like “hey Ted Highes, if you love Shakespeare how can you write a book criticizing him”) Oddly dismissive of literature based on personal experience (he dismisses all recent Booker winning authors for putting too much of themselves in the book, as if that can’t enrich the book and help readers connect with those who are similar or understand those who are different) Overall he seems to hold a very narrow-minded view of literature that is off-putting

I love the topics covered, as well as the depth and flow of the episodes. My single critique is on the performance/delivery of the material. The host has a pleasant voice but I think I would appreciate the episodes more of the cadence were slowed down a bit, and some pauses introduced. I sometimes feel like I can hardly process one word after the other to keep up, let alone engage with the depth of ideas and analysis being presented.

… I can no longer concentrate to read for any kind of solace whatsoever. It’s so depressing I need to feel safe to have the Leisure to read. I do not feel safe.